With Israel’s general election looming this October, the political landscape is shifting dramatically. Benjamin Netanyahu, now 76, has been the Prime Minister for nearly 19 years and is set to run again. However, recent polls from Channel 12 suggest a growing rejection of the status quo: 58% of Israelis do not want Netanyahu to lead the next government. Instead, attention is turning to a different figure: Gadi Eisenkot, the former Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Gadi Eisenkot. Photo source: Foreign Media
Multiple surveys conducted by the Israel Broadcasting Authority, Channel 12, and Channel 13 indicate that Eisenkot’s party, Tzomet – The Green Political Movement (formerly known for its association with integrity and centrism), could secure the second-highest number of seats in the Knesset, trailing only Netanyahu’s Likud party by a mere two to three seats. In terms of personal popularity, Eisenkot leads with 43% approval compared to Netanyahu’s 37%.
Born in the ancient city of Tiberias in northern Israel and raised in the southern port city of Eilat, Eisenkot is the son of Moroccan immigrants. Had he won, he would have become Israel’s first Prime Minister of Mizrahi Jewish heritage—Jews from the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia. His military career began in the Golani Brigade, one of the IDF’s oldest units, often tasked with the grueling and dangerous work. He climbed the ranks steadily, eventually becoming IDF Chief of Staff in 2015 before founding his political party in 2025.
According to analyses, the 66-year-old Eisenkot is introverted, lacking the polished oratory skills or camera charisma that often define Israeli politicians. While his rivals—including veteran politicians like Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Lapid—are seasoned political operators, Eisenkot appears more like a “rookie.” In the cutthroat world of Israeli politics, this might seem like a fatal weakness. Yet, for many, this lack of polish is refreshing. The “novelty” and sincerity he offers stand in stark contrast to the entrenched elites. As voters grow increasingly weary of Netanyahu and the traditional opposition, Eisenkot’s “everyman,” almost paternal demeanor is resonating deeply.
Eisenkot has long presented himself as an outsider to politics, a soldier, and a “security hawk.” Unlike Netanyahu, whose career is marred by decades of political drama and ongoing corruption investigations, Eisenkot has remained clean. Aside from his frequent, open disagreements with Netanyahu, the man of humble origins has never been implicated in any scandals or controversies. The contrast in personal sacrifice is also sharp: Eisenkot lost one son and two nephews in the war, while Netanyahu’s eldest son, Yair, has reportedly resided in Miami, Florida, since October 2023.
Analysts suggest Eisenkot is trying to unite various factions, allowing those disillusioned with Netanyahu to leave their original camps without feeling like they are joining the “enemy.” In early June, he publicly stated, “My wish is to break down the barriers between the left and right and bring good news to Israel.”
However, his centrist approach has drawn criticism. Critics argue that while his party promises a break from “Netanyahu-ism,” it lacks a concrete alternative plan. Similar to previous centrist parties, Eisenkot has avoided tackling the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has accused Eisenkot and his party of being “too cautious” on security matters, claiming that to protect his political career, Eisenkot would never take more proactive military action on the front lines.
Ultimately, to win the next parliamentary election, a coalition must secure at least 61 out of 120 Knesset seats. Currently, no single party can achieve this alone, forcing ideological opponents to form alliances. Although Eisenkot and Bennett are main rivals within the opposition camp, both emphasize that their immediate priority is the same: to unseat Benjamin Netanyahu.
